A typical day in the life of Jesus - Feb 5, 2012

We have been working our way through the first chapter of Mark’s Gospel these past few weeks. Scholars call this Chapter a typical day in the life of Jesus. Here He teaches with authority, casts out demons, heals many sick people including Peter’s mother-in-law. Then at the end of the Chapter we hear these words: “Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.” Amidst all the activity Jesus felt time to be alone with God. It was from His God that He received the strength to do His ministry. When I think of Jesus I think of this story about St. Anthony.
Fr. Bob

Once the great St. Anthony was relaxing with his disciples outside his hut when a hunter came by. The hunter was surprised and mildly shocked and rebuked Anthony for taking it easy. It was not his idea of what a monk should be doing. But Anthony said, “Bend your bow and shoot an arrow.” And the hunter did so. “Bend it again and shoot another,” said Anthony. And the hunter did, again and again. The hunter finally said, “Abba Anthony, if I keep my bow always stretched, it will break.” “So it is with the monk,” replied Anthony. “If we push ourselves beyond measure we will break; it is right from time to time to relax our efforts.”

Rev. Bill Bausch, in A World of Stories for Preachers and Teacher